By comparing the outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in C57BL/6, IL-27R-deficient and IL-27R/IL-17A-double deficient mice, investigators observed that both the increased protection and elevated immunopathology are supported by IL-17A. [Mucosal Immunol]
Abstract

Scientists examined EBV-specific memory T cells for their ability to cross-react with CMV or influenza A virus–derived epitopes. Following T cell immunoassays to determine phenotype and function, complemented with biophysical and structural investigations of peptide/HLA complexes, they did not detect cross-reactivity of EBV-specific memory T cells toward either CMV or influenza A virus epitopes presented by any of the selected HLA allomorphs. [J Immunol]
Abstract

Investigators constructed an attenuated herpes simplex virus type 1 strain M3 through the partial deletion of UL7, UL41, and the latency-associated transcript using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Neutralization testing and ELISpot detection of the specific T-cell responses confirmed the specific immunity induced by M3 immunization and this immunity defended against the challenges of the wild-type strain and restricted the entry of the wild-type strain into the trigeminal ganglion. [Viruses]
Full Article

University of Oklahoma (OU) professors, Helen Zgurskaya and Valentin Rybenkov, and team are addressing the challenge and critical need for new antibiotics that can fight infections caused by the multi-drug resistant bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The OU team responded to a special request for applications from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and received a five-year, $5.7 million grant to develop new, more effective approaches against Gram-negative bacteria that are protected by multi-drug efflux pumps and low-permeability membranes. [The University of Oklahoma]
Press Release

Provention Bio, Inc. announced that it has selected Netherlands-based Intravacc to lead product development and manufacturing of clinical trial material for Provention’s coxsackievirus B vaccine. [Provention Bio, Inc.]
Press Release

The government will push to invest almost Aus$1.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) over the next 12 years in shared research infrastructure — such as microscopes, supercomputers, a marine observing system and telescopes used in myriad disciplines, from nanotechnology to oceanography. Medical research will receive an increase of $1.3 billion, to be spent on various programs and initiatives over 10 years that improve health and boost the medical industry, including $500 million for a genomics and precision-medicine initiative. [Nature News]
Editorial

The cause of the increase isn’t clear. But the new law imposes stricter requirements on a broader array of chemicals than its predecessor, including both new products and ones already on the market, and experts say Environmental Protection Agency staff may be trying to comply by gathering more test data from companies. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

Basic researchers who study the brain and human behavior thought lawmakers had come to their rescue in March by blocking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from redefining their studies as clinical trials. But NIH officials are still pushing ahead with new requirements that scientists say make no sense and will cripple their research. [ScienceInsider]
Editorial

An online petition calling on the National Academy of Sciences to revoke memberships bestowed on people sanctioned for sexual harassment has garnered more than 250 signatures since it was posted on May 1. [The Scientist]
Editorial

Research culture and policies are quick to denounce plagiarism, data fabrication and mismanagement of funds, yet we have too long ignored the mistreatment of people. Science is a social endeavor; ignoring harassment perpetuates a culture in which people who experience or witness hostile behaviors are afraid to speak up, cannot do their best work, or leave science altogether. [Nature News]
Editorial